October 14, 2014

What Is Enterovirus D68?

Enterovirus D68 is a virus that can make you feel like you have a cold. If it's severe, it could also make you wheeze or have trouble breathing, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory problems.

Most cases are mild and last about a week, but if it's severe, you may need to go to the hospital.

Babies, children, and teens are the most likely to get it. People with weak immune systems have the biggest risk for severe complications.

This virus isn't new. Experts first identified it in 1962. In the decades since then, it only seemed to impact a very small number of people. That changed in 2014, when the CDC reported a national outbreak.

There are more than 100 other enteroviruses. 





Who's At Risk?



How It Spreads

You can catch this virus the same way you would catch the common cold: by having close contact with someone who's infected -- especially if that person coughs or sneezes on you -- or by touching a contaminated surface.


  • Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unless you've just washed your hands.
  • Don't hug, kiss, or share food with anyone who's sick.
  • If someone in your house is ill, it's a good idea to regularly disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot, such as toys and doorknobs.



No medicines target this virus. Antibiotics won't help, since the illness is not caused by bacteria.

You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, which might help you feel a little better, just like with a normal cold.


If it's an emergency -- for instance, you're having trouble breathing -- call 911. You may need to be hospitalized.

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